The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

Good to hear from you Nick. Hey my daughters just graduated from 8th grade! Get ready for the drama. All is good. Keep trucking!

 

@Crom , do you have a 255/85x16 spare tire underneath in the stock location?
I'm surprised it fits with the trailer hitch.
I'm getting a hi clearance bumper in a week or so and wasn't thinking I could have a spare down there.

Thanks for all your posts.
I would have given up trying to fit my spare with my current stock bumper except for your tips.
I used a 2x2 on my floor jack to bend my tabs up out of the way.
Jacked it up under the tab nice and snug then grabbed the frame with my hand and used my weight to bounce/bend them.
Was very easy.

 

Welcome. Yes a Toyo fits, however, I did quite a bit of work to make it fit. See links below for details.

Modify spare tire locator tabs, Aug 2015
Relocate spare tire elevator back 1", Oct 2015
Modding the Brute Force hitch Oct 2016

 

I added a weatherproof 12v connector at the rear bed of the truck. It's fed from auxiliary battery fuse block. I put a dual port USB to charger for random electronics.



Easy to swap out 2-port for 4-port if ever needed.


All stuff found in garage project bins, so no out of pocket costs incurred.

 

I found time to inspect the truck from top to bottom.

I have a ripped ball joint boot on the passenger side which I hate so much. One of my LED modules I installed back in 2010 lost 50% of its LED's. I also lost one (1) leaf spring isolator on pass side, which means I'll end up replacing it whenever I put in my modified shackles in at some point. Also, I am going to have to paint the hood sooner rather than later, as its deteriorating rapidly.

 

I need to add a 12v outlet to the bed as when I plug the fridge into the regular outlet that’s back there it keeps shutting it off. I haven’t done a dual battery setup yet or auxillary panel I just haven’t seen a need for it yet. The auxillary panel should get done as I’m getting crowded with relays. I have a group 27 battery extra and a battery box I should just mount it in the bed

 

I've done the first two you listed.
I didn't remember seeing were you had made it fit with the Brute Force.
I'm sure I'll have to do the same.
Thx again.

 

Work from Mountain Top Instead

With the Tacoma and this beautiful mountain top in range of 30 MHz of LTE, this was an easy week day escape for me and my girls. I intended on deploying my portable workstation on the tail gate, but said nah and just used mobile email instead. It made for a better day.





We found this critter, and I am always amazed by natures camouflage. The eyes were especially interesting.


I charged a Samsung iPad with my new charger; works great.

Aired up my tires while on zoom call for work.


What a great day to get outside.



Edit: my youngest had her last 1st grade class meeting on the way out, on zoom. Such an unconventional close to the academic year!

 

Looks like a wonderful day

 

My hood is becoming bad as well. Been thinking about getting it wrapped.

 

I thought about that. The wraps only last about 5 years from reading Internets. I do have a vinyl wrap on my back glass of truck shell and it's starting to go. Looking back in my thread, it appears I did that in 2015, so my experience matches Internets. .

I think I may buy a can of paint and DIY... I always wanted to replace the hood too with fiberglass, just to cut weight. I dunno.

 

Good to know. I haven't really looked into it yet.

 

Renew and Refurbish the Mr. Buddy Heater model MH9BX

We love our buddy heater. Ours is now eight years old. One really nice thing about it, is that it is serviceable.

The bottom line is that the orifice that emits propane into the ceramic tile gets filthy from oil. Where this oil comes from isn't exactly clear. The hoses that I use are the "green" variety which supposedly don't have oil in them but whatever. Thoroughly cleaning it solved my problem. I used engine degreaser because it was convenient and worked like a champ. The problem was a constant whistling sound while on low heat. The real test is when I hook it back up to the hose and run it that way, but running it with a 1lb bottle, it worked like it was brand new again, including lighting on the first try.

I made some other minor repairs as the sheet metal body was f'ed up from an accident when I backed into / crushed my camping tote. An easy affair to straighten everything out. Now it works like new again.



Every part is replaceable.






All clean and ready for camping

 

It's nice to have a piece of wood to work on too.

 

Can confirm that the hood wrap lasts about five years, mine is looking pretty beat at this point. I had mine done 2015-16 time frame and the desert takes it's toll. At the same time it only cost $150 so...

 

I appreciate the info. I was really considering the wrap, but sounds like spray paint is the better option.

 

This^^^
So touching. When you can no longer use that piece of wood to work on it should find a place on your wall.

 

One thing I like is where my oil catch can is located.

I don't even have to open the hood. The catch can is working great after the last major rehab I did to it. My dumb ass didn't wear gloves this time when I opened it and got a dab on my skin. The small amount of oil is absorbed into the skin so I smell like god-forsaken roasted motor oil for 4+ hours until my kidneys filter it.

But the can is clear, and ready to go.

 

Hi Crom!
Hope you are doing well, post-pandemic (whenever that happens)!
Your magnificent transmission fluid flush of August 2016 is still making my truck shift as smooth as a kitten purrs.
Following my many 2016-2018 Baja traveling miles, and retiring from my irrigation work, my truck gets very little driving the past couple years. I may not need another transmission fluid change... So, I thank you for doing it so well when you did! I know it was a favor and not your side business to help older Tacoma 4x4 drivers, like me!
My Baja missions book has been reprinted many times as people like it and keep buying it, lol! I co-authored another one this year that covers the missions here in 'Alta' California, too! www.oldmissions.com
Anyway, hope life treats you well... I am doing okay, so far... Just bored that we can't go to Baja for fun, just yet!